RAFFAELLA Finocchiaro

Raffaella Finocchiaro was born in Palermo (Italy) in 1971. In 1995 she got her Master degree in Agricultural Science at the University of Palermo, where she remained till 1997 to undertake research in the field on Animal Breeding and Genetics. In 1998 she started her PhD project in Animal Breeding and Genetics, at the University of Milan. During her PhD, Dr. Finocchiaro focused her interested on molecular genetics applied to small ruminants, in particular the hypotrichosis disorder. During this period, she did a sabbatical at the Animal Breeding and Genetics Group at the University of Wageningen (The Netherlands). After her PhD she moved to the University of Palermo for a post doc position. Here she developed several research projects in the field of goat and sheep selection schemes and on genetic conservation of small populations reared in Sicily. She also undertook a sabbatical at the University of Georgia (USA) to work on heat stress in dairy sheep. Her other interests were the effect of lactoprotein genes as major genes affecting variability of quantity and quality of milk in population genetics and genetic improvement of livestock with the necessary background in quantitative genetics, statistics and computer programming. She successfully applied for national and EU funding. At the end of 2007 she started to work with dairy cattle at the Italian Holstein Breeders Association (ANAFI), where she is senior researcher at the Research and Development Office. Her main activities are: 1) Developing and implementing new selection traits, techniques and technologies for the Italian Holstein and Jersey breeds. 2) Developing, implementing and supervising genetic and genomic routine evaluation for all traits for Holstein and Jersey breeds. 3) Updating technicians from AI industry, researchers, farmers and students on the Associations’ activities and services (meetings, seminars, workshops, and congresses). Lately her interests are also moving towards feed intake and methane emission in dairy cattle. She is also part of the ICAR Feed & Gas working group.

Since September 2021 she is leading the Research and Development office including also the Social Media Anafibj activities

Possesses versatile skills in project management, problem-solving, and collaboration. Brings fresh perspective and strong commitment to quality and success. Recognized for adaptability and proactive approach in delivering effective solutions.

Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.

• Finocchiaro R., Portolano B., Damiani G., et al. 2003. The hairless (hr) gene is involved in the congenital hypotrichosis of Valle del Belice sheep. Genet. Sel. Evol. 35 (Suppl. 1):S147-S156.
• Finocchiaro R., Van Kaam J-T., 2004. Perspectives for goat milk in human nutrition. Animal Science Papers and Reports 22:375-380.
• Finocchiaro R., Van Kaam J.B.C.H.M., et al. 2005. Effect of heat stress on production in Mediterranean dairy sheep. J. Dairy Sci. 88:1855-1864.
• Finocchiaro R., Hayes B.J, et al. 2007. Comparison of casein haplotype between two geographically distant European dairy goat breeds. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 125:68-72.
• Van Kaam J.B.C.H.M., Finocchiaro R., et al. 2007. Prion protein gene frequencies in three Sicilian dairy sheep populations. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 7:87-94.
• Riggio V., Finocchiaro R., et al. 2008. Genetic parameters for early lamb survival and growth in Scottish Blackface sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 86:1758-1764.
• Finocchiaro R., et al. 2008. Chromosomal assignment of the ovine hairless (hr) gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Hereditas 145:258-261.
• Siwek M., Finocchiaro R., et al. 2011. Hierarchical genetic genealogical structure of the Sicilian goats revealed by Bayesian analyses of microsatellite information. Animal Genetics 2011 42:93-5.
• Tullo E., et al. 2014. Genetic parameters of fatty acids in Italian Brown Swiss and Holstein cows. Italian J. of Anim. Sci. 07/2014; 13(3).
• Bobbo T., et al. 2018. Alternative somatic cell count traits exploitable in genetic selection for mastitis resistance in Italian Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science. 101:1-10.
• Bobbo T., et al. 2019. Genetic relationships of alternative somatic cell count traits with milk yield, composition and udder type traits in Italian Jersey cows. Animal Science Journal 2019:1-10.
• Roveglia C., et al. 2019. Phenotypic analysis of milk composition, milk urea nitrogen and somatic cell score of Italian Jersey cattle breed. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2019 18:405-409.
• Seymour D.J., et al. 2019. Determination of large-scale individual dry matter intake phenotypes in dairy cattle: A systematic review. Journal of Dairy Science. 2019. 102: 7655–7663.

• Title: PhD
• Date of Birth: 06/02/71
• Gender: F
• Nationality: Italian
• Driving License: B